John 2:6

There were set there six water-pots of stone.

These water-pots were to supply water for the washings usual at feasts (see Mark 7:4). The Jews were regarded ceremonially unclean if they did not wash both before and after eating. This was done in. formal manner, and was, with the washing of cups, pots and brazen vessels,. ritual observance on which the Pharisees laid great stress. The six water-pots, on this occasion, each held two or three firkins, meaning, it is supposed, the Hebrew bath,. measure of seven and. half gallons. The pots would hold about twenty gallons each, and the whole capacity would be about one hundred and twenty gallons.